UK tax breaks campaign underway

Moves to prompt an expansion to the UK of the French government's plans to offer videogames developers in France up to 20 per cent cash rebate on development costs are already underway, according to Tiga CEO and chair Fred Hasson.

Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz he revealed that lobbying will begin this week, and some indication on a decision from the UK government is expected very soon.

"We're going to be going to the Ministries, including the Treasury, and asking them if they would now like to consider applying the same tax breaks that apply to film in the UK, to the videogames industry," he said.

"We'll definitely be doing that, this week. I'll be putting calls in to the Ministries, and we'll be looking to get a response very soon after Christmas, if not before."

It is hoped that any move would limit the impact of companies relocating outside of the UK, a trend which has already cost other European countries dear, and prompted the original action in the first place.

"We have got a lot of anecdotal evidence to show that individuals are being targeted by the Canadian tax breaks in a very aggressive way.

"The French lost half their industry to Canada in a period of about two years. I don't think we've hit a peak yet in the UK, I think that peak is coming any time now.

"And then add to that a downturn in the fortunes after the Christmas market, which we'll know about in February or March next year - nothing new in that - but it's not going to look as rosy as it is now with everybody working as much as they can," he said.